In serious truth, i’ faith.STRABAXAlthough I seem a simpleton to you, I like myself to have a bit of recreation. For pretty though you are, you are so to your own loss, unless I amuse myself a bit with you.PHRONESIUMShould you like me to embrace you and give you a kiss?STRABAXDo whatever you like, I’ll deem it agreable.(She kisses him.)STRATOPHANESWhat, shall I suffer her to be embracing other men before my eyes? I’ faith, ’twere better that I were dead. Woman, take your hands off of him, unless, perhaps, by this sword of mine, won from the enemy, you wish yourself and him to die.(Flourishing his sword.)PHRONESIUMThere’s no use in badinageNo use in badinage: φλυαρεῖν,to trifle,to play upon; almost exactly corresponding with our use of the French term badinage., Captain. If you want yourself to be loved, with gold, Stratophanes, not with iron, may you prevent him from loving me.STRATOPHANESHow, the plague, are you pretty or witty, to be fond of a fellow of that description?PHRONESIUM(aside, to STRATOPHANES.)Don’t it come to your recollection what an actor once said upon the stage? All people have an eye to their profit, and are not over delicate.STRATOPHANESThat you could possibly caress this fellow, so dirty and foul!PHRONESIUMAlthough he is dirty, although he is foul, still, he’s pretty to me. STRATOPHANESDidn’t I give you some gold?PHRONESIUMTo me? You gave money for the child’s food.STRABAXNow, if you hope to have her, another mina of gold is requisite.STRATOPHANESA sore mishap upon these people, and a weighty one!STRABAXBy all means, keep that by way of provision for your own journey. Part of line 937 in the Latin.STRATOPHANESWhat does she owe you? STRABAXThree things.STRATOPHANESWhat, pray? STRABAXPerfumes, her favours, and kisses.PHRONESIUM(apart.)He answers him like for like. (To STRATOPHANES.) But now, at all events, if you do love me, do you give me some little trifle from your most abundant treasures.STRATOPHANESDo say, there’s a dear, what it is that I’m to give you; only say. If I have it left, you shall have it.PHRONESIUMMere kickshawsMere kickshaws: Κάμπας. This is from the Greek καμπὴ, a caterpillar, and means nonsensical, trifling stuff. He gives her a hint, in the next line, to beware of the great teeth of the countrymen. you’re talking about. Be off, be off.(STRABAX kisses her.)STRATOPHANESI’ve considered this over with myself.Part of line 942 in the Latin. A corrupt passage. My good sir, take you care, will you, that she don’t inflict a wound upon you, whose teeth are made of iron. She’s allowing access to her to all in common. You take your hand off of her.STRABAX(striking him.)Then, by my troth, do you take that, with a hearty punch, warlike man!STRATOPHANESI’ve given her gold. STRABAXAnd I, silver.STRATOPHANESAnd I a mantle and a purple garment.